Seaweed in Ecosystem Enhancing Aquaculture for Growth and Sustainability (SEAGROW)

Short description of the project: SEAGROW is a three-year project funded by EMFAF aimed at demonstrating how large-scale regenerative ocean farming can work as a viable business model delivering measurable ecosystem benefits.

Expected results: SEAGROW will deploy innovative seaweed farming systems in Galway Bay, delivering ecosystem benefits assessed by Trinity College Dublin. A best-in-class ecosystem assessment will measure changes in pollutants like nitrates, phosphates, and carbon due to Regenerative Ocean Farming (ROF). The project will de-risk the Galway Bay site for full-scale development by 2031, producing 5,000 tonnes of seaweed annually, with more sites in development using the SEAGROW model. An Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) test site will also evaluate interactions between seaweed and scallop farming. SEAGROW will drive ROF sector growth through key outputs, including ROF Standard Operating Protocols, an ecosystem assessment protocol, an ecosystem credits system for new revenue streams, an assessment of ROF compatibility with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to unlock more sea-space for ROF, an eco-labelling system, a decision-support framework, recommendations for enhanced ROF, and an EU market development strategy.

Application/relevance: SEAGROW will unlock private investment in regenerative ocean farming by demonstrating a scalable, environmentally beneficial seaweed farming model, driving sector growth and enabling full-scale development in Galway Bay and beyond.